Are Knicks Transferring Ahead Without Guerschon Yabusele?

As the February 5 NBA commerce deadline approaches, the New York Knicks are quietly reassessing their roster, and Guerschon Yabusele has emerged as a possible commerce chip.

According to league sources, New York is open to shifting the veteran ahead because it appears to be like to handle clear weaknesses in ball-handling depth and frontcourt assist.

Yabusele’s Knicks Tenure Falls Short of Expectations

Yabusele entered the season because the Knicks’ most notable free-agent signing, returning to the NBA after a productive five-year run in Europe. However, his impression has been minimal by the primary two months of the marketing campaign.

According to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic, the French ahead’s perimeter effectivity has dipped, limiting his offensive worth in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation. Aside from that, he is solely taking pictures under 40 % from the sphere, to not point out his mediocre common of three factors and a pair of.2 rebounds per recreation, which lasts underneath 10 minutes.

The struggles are a stark distinction to Yabusele’s strong manufacturing in Philadelphia final season, elevating questions on his match inside New York’s system and whether or not he elements into the workforce’s long-term plans.

Contract Situation Complicates Trade Scenarios

Yabusele’s contract may additional complicate commerce talks. He is incomes $5.5 million this season and holds a $5.7 million participant choice for 2026–27. League executives consider the Knicks may have to connect extra property to maneuver his deal, significantly given his restricted position and manufacturing.

With New York working close to the laborious cap, monetary flexibility stays extraordinarily tight, forcing the entrance workplace to be exact with any deadline maneuvering.

Potential Trade Targets to Watch

According to Hoops Rumors, a number of names have surfaced as lifelike choices given New York’s cap limitations. Since the Knicks badly want somebody who is usually a ground normal when Jalen Brunson is out, signing Jose Alvarado from the Pelicans is a brilliant transfer. He’s simply attainable with second-round picks, and the workforce may use his perimeter protection and playmaking.

Another identify looking out is Bulls’ guard Ayo Dosunmu. This defensive guard can successfully be a menace in transition together with his ball-handling.

If the Knicks cannot signal these level guards, they’ll transfer on to Marvin Bagley III of the Wizards. He’s a low-cost frontcourt choice who supplies scoring and rebounding as a 3rd large.

Knicks Prioritize Ball-Handling, Frontcourt Insurance

The Knicks’ commerce focus goes past merely shifting wage. New York continues to seek for a dependable secondary ball-handler to regular the offense when Jalen Brunson is off the ground. Rookie Tyler Kolek has proven flashes however entrusting him with a significant position throughout a playoff push stays dangerous.

Up entrance, the Knicks additionally want depth behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson. While Robinson has delivered elite rebounding in restricted minutes, his ongoing load administration as a result of damage issues leaves New York susceptible if points come up down the stretch.